Despite the amazing qualities of the Tesla Powerwall, like any device, sometimes there can be issues with the Powerwall not charging. Luckily, there are a few easy steps you can do to try and fix it.
Since this technology is very important for those uncertain times when the power could be out for an unknown amount of time, it is critical that the problem is fixed as soon as it can be. With the help of this troubleshooting and informative guide, hopefully you will find out what is wrong with your Powerwall in no time.
Troubleshooting for Tesla Powerwall Charging Problems
It can be a bit of a hassle to even bother trying to call customer service for some problems. Of course, you should always try reading the manual that comes with your Powerwall to find more information about it before attempting any repairs.
In the manual, you will find instructions on the things you can do to try and fix your Powerwall if it is not charging. However, the manual does not cover every fix, and many people have had success using the methods we’ll describe below.
However, if there is any serious issue with your Powerwall, or any repair attempt would require you to open it up and mess with the internals, stop immediately and do not attempt the repair. Tesla has skilled technicians who are trained to safely work inside Powerwalls, and you should never risk your own safety attempting a fix.
If you are having problems with your Tesla Powerwall not charging, then try the steps listed below.
Check the LED to Determine Powerwall’s Status
The LED indicators can tell you if Powerwall is functioning or if it is not working at all. You will find the LED on the right side of Powerwall.
- Solid LED On- This means that Powerwall is on and is in communication with Backup Gateway, which is responsible for controlling and monitoring Powerwall.
- Flashing- When the LED is flashing, that means that Powerwall is on, but is has no connection with Gateway.
- Pulsing- This means that Powerwall in on and that it is either charging or discharging power.
- Off- When the LED is off, Powerwall is either switched off or not enabled.
Troubleshooting Steps for a Non-Charging Powerwall
Once you have determined the status of Powerwall, you can begin troubleshooting.
- Turn Powerwall off. Before you turn off Powerwall, be sure to turn off appliances and lights in your home so that you will not damage them by abruptly cutting off their power source. You can find the OFF switch on the side of Powerwall.
- Turn AC breakers off. These breakers are for Powerwall and Gateway.
- Keep everything turned off for one minute, at least. This will allow everything to reset, safely.
- Turn AC breakers on. Remember to turn the breakers back on for both Powerwall and Gateway.
- Turn Powerwall on. Simply switch to ON.
Call Tesla Customer Support
If all else fails, then it is best to call customer support. There could be more serious problems that will require Tesla Certified Installers to diagnose and treat the issue.
It is recommended by many customers to never choose the “Other Option” choice on the call menu because it takes a very long time for a representative to get back to you.
For most Powerwall users, these steps will usually do the trick and help things to start running smoothly again. Unfortunately, there have also been customers who have had issues with their Powerwall not charging that required a trained technician. Just like any piece of advanced technology, sometimes it’s best just to leave it to the pros.
Reasons Why Your Tesla Powerwall May Not Be Charging
There could be a few reasons why your Tesla Powerwall may not be charging. It could be an easy fix, or it could be an issue that will take a little longer to solve.
You May Have a Configuration Issue
After your Powerwall is installed, it may take a little while for it to become operational and start to become charged from solar energy. This may be your problem.
Your Powerwall could be in “Standby” mode while it is waiting for solar power. You can easily find out this information by calling Tesla customer support.
You May Have Let Your Powerwall Completely Run Out of Power
It is very important to monitor your Powerwall’s charge on a daily basis. One of the reasons why your Powerwall may not be charging is because the power for it was allowed to run out, completely.
Once the power has been completely depleted, Powerwall cannot restart due to not having any energy to power up with. This issue can only be fixed by Tesla Certified Installers, so be sure to give them a call as soon as you can.
In order to avoid running out of power, even all of the power in reserves, monitor the charge consistently and try to reduce as much power as possible during emergency situations.
Your Powerwall Could Have a Defect
Unfortunately, sometimes technology does not always perfectly work the way that we hope it will.
In one Powerwall customer’s case, the battery was staying in “Standby” mode, constantly, no matter what was done to try and fix it. After trying for weeks, the problem was found by the technical team at Tesla to be a defect in a pod within the Powerwall. In this case, the pod had to be replaced by a Certified Tesla Installer.
Calling customer support and getting in touch with the technical team is always your best bet when something serious is wrong with your Powerwall. The manual for Powerwall states that a customer will not be able to make repairs to the battery.
Only skilled technicians that work specifically for Tesla will be able to get the job done, and you should not attempt any repairs yourself.
What to Do If Troubleshooting Does Not Fix Your Powerwall
The reasons listed above as to why your Powerwall may not be charging are, unfortunately, just a few reasons. Powerwall is a complex piece of technology that comes with many components and, possibly, many issues.
Not everyone has problems with their Powerwall not charging, but it is common and can be quickly diagnosed and fixed just by giving customer support a call.
The majority of customers also look to Tesla Forums for answers, but since a customer will be unable to diagnose an internal problem or even repair it, calling Tesla customer support will be the best thing that you can do after giving the troubleshooting a shot.
Conclusion
In the end, Tesla’s Powerwall is very advanced technology. It can be a life saver during those uncertain times when the power is out—but sometimes tech can have minor issues.
It is important that it is charging the way it is supposed to so that it can do its job when the time is right. If troubleshooting on your own does not solve your problem, the best thing you can do is call Tesla customer support and get a skilled technician to diagnose and fix the charging issue.
Even though it is possible that you could have a few technical issues here and there, Powerwall is an amazing thing to add to your life to give you an extra sense of security!